Daseta will be representing Israel on environmental, developmental and economic issues with the United Nations, promoting Israeli innovation; UN ambassador Danon: 'Integrating Ethiopians into Israeli hasbara is vital.'

Itamar Eichner|Published: 09.24.17 , 11:50

Ethiopian immigrant Danielle Daseta, a member of Israel's delegation to the United Nations, will now be representing Israel on environmental, developmental and economic issues.

As part of her new position, Daseta will be promoting Israeli innovation and collaborations with other members of the international organization.

Danielle Daseta and Danny Danon at the United Nations

Daseta made Aliyah in 1984 with her family during Operation Moses. She started her career in diplomacy while she was studying for a bachelor's degree in governance and diplomacy, participating in the "Israel@heart" leadership program for Ethiopian Jews.

After joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Daseta spent a long time working on hasbara (public relations). She participated in hasbara-centric delegations to American and Canadian campuses and was the Jewish Agency's emissary to the University of San Diego, where she combated the boycott movement.

Upon her return, she managed Israeli students' hasbara delegations and kept in contact with African ambassadors to strengthen the Israeli Ethiopian community's relationships with African countries.

While working on these issues, Daseta created an anti-racism group along with other Ethiopian students. The group acted to promote the status of Israel's Ethiopians.

"I believe will and determination can help one conquer any difficulty and ascend to any peak. The values guiding me are the belief and willingness to always challenge myself," Daseta said upon taking on her new role.

"Danielle has been working for Israeli hasbara for many years now, and will continue to do so here. There's great importance to providing opportunity for Ethiopian Israelis to participate in hasbara and work for Israel on the international stage," said Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.